“Farmers are tired of restrictions, procedures and standards,” Annie Genevard told AFP. “These are serious liabilities that have accumulated to weaken the competitiveness of farms,” said the Minister of Agriculture before listing a series of measures, including the creation of a Guidance Council for the protection of crops.
“Meeting the critical needs of specific cultures”
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Created by decree, this council, chaired by Annie Genevard and bringing together stakeholders, including farmers and phytosanitary product manufacturers, aims to “prioritize guidance” by the Council.Health Security Agency (ANSES) to introduce permission, according to the needs of the agricultural sectors.
In other words, for ANSES, it will be a matter of moving requests to put specific products on the market to the top of the hill, to “meet the urgent needs of specific crops”. “We want Anses to work as a priority on orphaned or poorly supplied practices,” explained the minister. Plant protection companies will be able to “provide technical expertise because they are the ones who develop the products”. According to the merits of the decisions (authorization or prohibition), “it is not a question of dictating the decisions to ANSES, which is an independent body,” she said.
“I think the path to less phyto is a path of no return. It is a guideline that everyone accepts (…). But for the departments that are in crisis, we need ANSES to prioritize their work to respond,” she said.
ANSES in the views of several unions
This order must also “develop ministry intelligence (…)”. In addition, it must “ask ANSES to facilitate the mutual recognition” of products already authorized at European level.
ANSES is in the view of several unions for having banned or restricted the use of certain pesticides before this was the case in the EU.
In the case of the French Office of Biodiversity (OFB), which has the role of environmental police, its Director General must “immediately ensure the right of weapons if they are controlled, by use devices that allow them to be hidden. It’s a big concern (for farmers, editor’s note),” according to Annie Genevard. In addition, “there will be gradual use on an experimental basis (…) of wearing a pedestrian camera , which allows for on-site control records, perhaps. In general, this helps, as we see with the police, to reduce tensions.”
Another step, “a circular to senior officials to increase the management capabilities of breeding projects, to shorten deadlines and to favor educational controls for the latest”.
Deadlines for agricultural work will be set at the local level, and a measure will prevent the same document from being requested several times by administrations.
The aim is to systematically overcome the obstacles to production
Annie Genevard plans to see the unions again “before Christmas” for a new “Rendezvous for simplification”, which I would even be tempted to call the Rendez-vous du commun sens. Goal? “To overcome, systematically, all the obstacles to production”.
2024-11-30 11:20:00
#simplification #measures #calm #agricultural #anger
## Is Red Tape Choking the Life Out of Farms?
**World Today News: Annie Genevard, Vice President of the French National Assembly’s Agriculture Commission, recently stated that farmers are feeling burdened by an excess of “restrictions, procedures and standards.” Do you think this sentiment resonates globally?**
**Expert Interview with Dr. Elena Ramirez, Agricultural Economist and Policy Specialist**
**Dr. Ramirez:** I believe ms. Genevard’s statement reflects a growing concern among farmers worldwide. Increasingly complex regulations and administrative burdens are impacting farms of all sizes,from small family operations to large commercial enterprises. While these regulations are often designed to protect the habitat, ensure food safety, and promote ethical practices, their complexity can create notable challenges for farmers.
**World Today News: Can you elaborate on some specific examples of these challenges?**
**Dr. Ramirez:**Certainly. As an example, navigating complex permit applications for pesticide use, complying with numerous traceability requirements for produce, or adapting to evolving animal welfare standards can be incredibly time-consuming and costly.
These bureaucratic hurdles can divert valuable resources away from essential farming practices and ultimately impact profitability.
Smaller farms,frequently enough with fewer resources,are especially vulnerable to being overwhelmed by these demands.
**World Today News: What are the potential consequences of these challenges, both for individual farmers and the global food system?**
**dr. Ramirez:** The consequences are multifaceted and far-reaching.
* **Reduced Farm Viability:** Burdensome regulations contribute to rising production costs, making it harder for farms to remain profitable, especially in fiercely competitive markets. this can lead to farm closures, consolidation, and a decline in agricultural diversity.
* **Decreased Competitiveness:** Overly restrictive regulations can put domestic farmers at a disadvantage against international competitors with fewer regulatory burdens.
* **Threat to Food Security:** A shrinking and struggling agricultural sector ultimately jeopardizes our ability to produce sufficient food for a growing global population.
* **Environmental Impacts:** Paradoxically, in some cases, overly complex regulations can lead to unintended negative environmental consequences.
For example, strict pesticide regulations without adequate support for alternative pest control methods could push farmers towards unsustainable practices.
**World Today News: What solutions can be explored to address this issue?**
**Dr. ramirez:** We need a more nuanced and balanced approach. This involves:
* **Streamlining regulations:** Simplifying administrative processes, reducing redundant requirements, and employing risk-based approaches can lessen the burden on farmers without compromising significant standards.
* **Providing Adequate Support:** Offering financial and technical assistance to farmers,especially small-scale producers,to help them adapt to evolving regulations is crucial.
* **Promoting Farmer Involvement:** Including farmers in the policy-making process ensures that regulations are practical, implementable, and address the real challenges farmers face.
**World Today News: Do you see any initiatives or movements currently making headway in tackling this issue?**
**Dr. Ramirez:** There are encouraging developments. Many farmers’ organizations are advocating for regulatory reforms, and governments in some countries are taking steps to simplify agricultural policies. There is also growing awareness among policymakers about the need to strike a balance between protecting the environment and fostering a thriving agricultural sector.
**World Today News: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr.Ramirez. your analysis sheds light on the complex challenges facing farmers worldwide and the urgent need for constructive solutions.**
**Note**: This is a sample interview based on the provided quote.
You can modify it further by adding more detailed information on specific regional situations, agricultural policies, or relevant research findings.
